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EDLD 5364 Cohort 17


Ana McKinney

Garland ISD

This week's readings were very interesting and thought provoking. AS educators we are expected to guide every student to success no matter what challenges they have to deal with. Reading about Universal Design for Learning, or UDL's, I saw attaining this goal under a different light. Something that before appeared unattainable is now a challenge and a goal in my mind.


  • "Universal Design for Learning (UDL) recognizes that every learner is unique and processes information differently. UDL is based on CAST's research related to three primary brain networks (recognition network, strategic network, and affective network) and the roles they play in understanding these differences." CAST, Inc.(2005-2011). Retrieved on 3/2/2011 from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/learn.php

  • "Affect represents a crucial element to learning, and learners differ markedly in the ways in which they can be engaged or motivated to learn. There are a variety of sources that can influence individual variation in affect including neurology, culture, personal relevance, subjectivity, and background knowledge, along with a variety of other factors. " CAST, Inc.(2005-2011). Retrieved on 3/2/2011 from http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/principle3

In my practice as an educator I have faced many times the challenge of trying to help a student achieve when his mind is just not there, but rather dealing with emotional issues and worried about external situations. Their affective network is cluttered with all the family drama that got collected over the weekend or even their whole lives. With the help of UDL's I could tackle those situations that make a different set of mind in a particular student.

  • "Those teachers and settings that address self-regulation explicitly will be most successful in applying the UDL principles through modeling and prompting in a variety of methods." CAST, Inc.(2005-2011). Retrieved on 3/2/2011 from http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/principle3

  • "UDL provides a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone-->




    This was particularly important for me. To finally see a way out of a one-size-fits-all environment is not only refreshing but relaxing. Under the NCLB umbrella we are supposed to include all students and serve everyone equally, but how, if not everyone is alike. The UDL's present an opportunity to attain the impossible!


    References:



    National Center On Universal Design for Learning. Published on National Center On Universal Design for Learning (http://www.udlcenter.org) Retrieved on 3/2/2011 from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/learn.php



    National Center On Universal Design for Learning. Published on National Center On Universal Design for Learning (http://www.udlcenter.org) Retrieved on 3/2/2011 from http://www.cast.org/udl/index.html



    National Center On Universal Design for Learning. Published on National Center On Universal Design for Learning (http://www.udlcenter.org) Retrieved on 3/2/2011 from http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/principle3